Here are a few helpful tricks to use when organising your time (sourced from the POAA flyer).

• Keep filing systems simple with only four or five main categories that make sense to you.
• Do 'it' NOW. Don't procrastinate.
• Change whatever doesn't work for you.
• Use only one diary or calendar to record all your appointments - private or professional.

You would think that this stands to reason, but so many people don't follow this advice (myself included). There are some days that I am disciplined enough to prepare for the next day and it ALWAYS sets the tone for my day ahead.

There have been times when I am under pressure to finalise a job for a client the next day and every time I leave it for the morning (to quickly finish), the wheels fall off - a child needs something - the email is down etc etc and suddenly, my lack ...

Remember when you were at school and you had a project to do? The first thing you probably did was create a spider diagram outlining the process you needed to follow. As adults, we often dive headfirst into tasks, like de-cluttering our space, without planning, so we often land up failing miserably. Whatever goals you have, spend some time on your spider diagram. The process will save you time and frustration.

The ultimate time-saving tip is WAKE UP EARLIER, although I know there are many of us who simply hate to part from our comfy beds until we absolutely have to.

But consider that you can automatically add 30 to 60 minutes to your day by curbing your dream time. Spend this time answering emails, making dinner for the evening, exercising or doing admin work. You probably will be getting the same amount of sleep because you'll be more vigilant about watching those late-night sh...

Since I have two businesses to run, I often find myself with so many things to do and sometimes, I find myself putting off the hardest tasks. This is often the worst thing I could do because I get more anxious as the day goes and I actually cannot concentrate on anything.

As a result I try to remind myself that if I get the hardest task over and done with, I am more flexible with everything else requiring my attention.

BASICALLY, it never pays to put anything off. Just ta...

The modern day parent works long hours and has hectic social schedules. As such, it is very important to achieve balance if you are to keep your sanity.

A few tips are to:

• Find out if your employer will allow telecommuting for late afternoons onwards i.e. allowing you to go home and work from there. (This may not even be feasible for some but worth a consideration for others.)
• Define time that is off limits for work. Perhaps consider making 6 - 8 pm a n...

I recently had an experience with a client where she used many small pieces of paper to record her 'to do' items. It became apparent that sooner or later the wheels would fall because pieces of paper can quickly be lost.

It is advisable to ONLY USE ONE DIARY and ONE CALENDAR as then everything is in one place and there isn't guess work about where it is. Then keep all these in a central place and when you have finished using something, put it back in that central place.

I have been spending a lot of time trying to organise myself and my time lately (yes, the NEAT FREAK also has to do this), and I have to say, that the only way to do this, is to MAKE TIME TO PLAN.

• If you have a project you need to complete, like planting a new area in your garden, you will need to complete tasks along the way to succeed.
• Write the ultimate goal down in a clear sentence (and perhaps you should pin this up somewhere you will see it all day to...